Rotary relay



May 27, 1958 H. K. KRANTz ROTARY RELAY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov.- 2&3,1954 'Iliff /Nl/ENTOR H. K. KRANT Z ATTO'QNEY May 27. 195sy H. K. KRANTZ2,836,674

ROTARY RELAY Filed Nov. 26, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY United StatesPatent M ROTARY RELAY Hubert K. Krantz, Rockville Centre, N. Y.,assignor to Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated, New York, N. Y.,a corporation of New York Application November 26, 1954, Serial No.471,267

8 Claims. (Cl. 200-87) T his invention relates to electromagneticswitching devices and particularly to dynamically balanced relays of therotary armature type.

In general, electromagnetic switching devices function to control thecontinuity of electric circuits by causing contact-bearing springs to bemoved, under the action of an armature, into or out of engagement withstationary contact-bearing springs. Frequently, such devices are usedunder conditions which expose them to shock which results in abnormalarmature vibrations and spring deflections and causes false and untimelycircuit operations.

So-called shock proof relays have been designed in the past and in thoseinstances wherein the result attained is substantial immunity to shock,the devices are generally characterized by a reduced sensitivity inoperation, are limited to relatively small Contact capacities andotherwise embody mechanical complexities which render the resultingstructures impractical for general use.

it is one object of this invention to provide an improved dynamicallybalanced switching device, or'relay, which is inherently insensitive tolinear and non-linear shock and which is otherwise immune to conditionsencountered in use which tend to cause false and untimely contactoperation.

This object is attained in accordance with a feature of the invention bythe use, in a circuit controller of the electromagnetic type, of arotary, bearingless armature which is trictionally disassociated fromthe core both when the controller is unoperated and during the course otmovement of the armature. More particularly, the controller, or relay otthis invention comprises a stationary cylindrical core supporting anenergizing.y coil, stationary pole-picces, a substantially annulararmature having pole-pieces and a centrally located collar portion, andmeans in the nature of leaf springs for rotatably supporting thearmature at spaced intervals about its periphery and in a position suchthat the collar portion thereof circumscribes an end portion of the coreand s held in spaced proximity thereto and its pole-pieces aremaintained in normal relation to the stationary pole-pieces.

Another feature of the invention contemplates armature mounting springswhich are of adequate stillness to resist response of the armature tolinear and non-linear sho-ck and to otherwise preclude lateral or otherabnormal shifting of the armature, and which are nevertheless, of suchilexibility as to impart to the structure a high sensitivity to normalactuating forces. y

A further feature of the invention resides in an arrangement of iixedand movable contacts which greatly increases the contact capacity of therelay and otherwise contributes to its overall shock proof character.

A still further feature of the invention provides a dynamically balancedrelay which is smaliin size, compact', structurally simpley indesign,accurate in response and whose various components are readily accessiblefor maintenance and adjustment purposes.

These and other features of the invention will vbe readily understoodfrom the followingdetailed description .2,836,674 Patented May 27, 1958ICC when read with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a vertical elevation of the relay or circuit controller ofthis invention with a portion of the outer casing broken away todisclose the armature mounting, magnetic circuit and contactarrangement;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the relay shown in l taken along theline 2--2 and looking in the direction ofthe small arrows;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of the relay shown in Fig. l taken alongthe line 3-3 and looking in the direction of the small arrows;

Fig. 4 is a vertical elevation of an upper portion of a modification ofthe relay shown in Fig. 1 and illustrates, particularly, an alternateform of armature mounting; and

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section of the relay shown in Fig. 4 taken alongthe line 5--5 and looking in the direction of the small arrows.

Referring now particularly to Figs. l, 2 and 3 of the drawing, the relayof this invention includes an outer inverted cup-shaped shell 10 ofmagnetic material which is disposed in telescopic relation to an innersleeve member 12, also of magnetic material.

A right circular cylindrical member 13 serves as a relay core and iscentrally mounted on the base 14 of the cupshaped shell 1b in anysuitable manner so as to project from the base within the shell andassume a rigid position with respect to the shell. An exemplary methodof mounting the core 13, as illustrated, contemplates a narrow shank orneck portion formed integrally with the main body portion of the corewhich extends through a centrally disposed aperture in the shell baseand has its outer end turned over, rivet fashion, to effect a xedassociation of the core and shell.

Near its upper end the core 13 supports an annular coil 1S whose outerlower edge abuts the upper edge of the inner sleeve 12. The coil is heldin fixed association with the inner shell 12 by means of a ring-shapedspring Washer 16 which is interposed between the upper face of the coiland the under surface of the shell base 14.

A disc-like armature 17 of magnetic material is stamped or otherwiseformed of sheet metal and is generally annular in couiiguration. Itsinner circular edge is turned in to eiect a circular collar or shoulderportion 18 having an internal diameter only slightly in excess of theexternal diameter of the core 13. The armature 17 is supportedy in sucha manner, with respect to core 13 by means of four thin dat springmembers 19, that the collar portion 18 thereof circumscribes a lowerportion of the core as indicated above and as clearly shown in Fig. l.The collar or shoulder portion 1S of the armature is provided with fourvertical slots 20 disposed about the collar at Gli-degree intervals. Ineach of these slots is secured the inner end of one of the mountingsprings 19.

The armature 17 is provided, near its outer periphery, with fourprojections 21, which extend perpendicular to its surface. Theseprojections lie in spaced proximity to the tace of four returnpole-pieces 22 which are yformed integrally with the inner sleeve 12 andextend a short distance radially inwardly toward the core 13. Thespacings between juxtaposed faces of the pole-pieces 22 and thecorresponding armature projections 21 constitute ai gaps in the magneticcircuit of the relay.

A vertical slot 23 is cut in the inner sleeve 12 near each of the fourpole-pieces 22, each in individual radial alignment with one of theSlots 20 in the raised shoulder portion 18 of the armature 17. In theslots 23 are rsecured the outer ends of the tlat springs 19. Theksprings 19 support the armature in proper position, permit the armatureto be rotated into its operated position whenv the relay coil 15 isenergized, and restore the armature' u to its unoperated position upondeenergization of the coil. .l

Fixed to the inside of the armature by means of spaced rivets 25 is arotary card 26 of insulating material. TheY rivets 25 rigidly mount thecard 26 on the armature 17 so that the two rotate as a unit. Asillustrated, the card 26 is provided with four bosses which serve tospace the card from the armature and to provide additional thickness ofmaterial at the rivet points.

The rotary card 26 functions to move a series of movable contactsprings, sixteen in the exemplary model illustrated, into and out ofengagement with a corresponding number of xed contacts. These contacts,27 andA 27', are carried on'the upper ends of elongated springs whichpass through suitable apertures 50 in a stationary card 31 located belowthe rotary card 26 and which are welded or otherwise fixed to springterminals 29. The contacts 27 of the exemplary model illustrated, arebreak contacts while those designated 27 are -make contacts. Four ofeach Contact type are located in each of two concentric rows.

Each of the mating or complementary stationary contacts 28, as shown inFigs. 1 and 3, comprises an elongated flat spring welded at its lowerend to a spring terminal 29 and terminating at its upper end in twojoined spaced projections 30 which protrude through apertures 50 in thefixed card 31. The card 31 is provided with suitably spaced lateralprojections or keys 32 which fit acorresponding number of similarlyconfigured slots or key ways 33 in the inner sleeve member 12. Thus thestationary contacts are held in fixed position and are incapable of anychatter or untimely response to shockr which would otherwise cause themto make false contact with their mating movable springs.

, Each of the stationary spring units 28, as indicated above, is weldedor otherwise secured to a spring terminal 29, which spring terminals, inturn, are embedded in a base 35 of glass or other suitable insulatingmaterial. The base 35 is circumscribed by the base ring 36. The latterforms an abutting edge which meets the lower edge of the inner sleeve 12when the relay components are assembled and over which the lower end ofthe outer shell ts in telescopic relation.

A series of holes 37 in the iixed plate 31 provides means for wiring thecoil to corresponding spring terminals 29.

` When the coil 15 is energized, thegenerated magnetic ux traverses thepaths indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1. This path includes the air gapsbetween adjacent armature projections 21 and pole-piece projections 22.The armature 17 and card 26 thereupon experience a clockwise rotationalmovement causing engagement of make contacts 27 with correspondingstationary contacts 30 and the disengagement of break contacts 27 withcorresponding stationary contacts 30 and the disengagement of breakcontacts 27 from corresponding stationary contact elements 30, asclearly indicated in Fig. 3.

. Due to the confinement of the ends of armature mounting springs 19 inthe slots 20 and 23, the springs flex and oier little resistance to thearmature in its rotational movement. Upon deenergization of the coil 15,the springs 19 function to restore the armature to its normal position.

As appears more clearly in Fig. 2, the movable card 26 is so congured asto provide a multiplicity of radial edges which cooperate with themovable springs in such a manner that when the armature is rotated,certain of the edges engage some of the movable springs and move themout of engagement with associated fixed springs and certain other of theedges release certain other movable springs and permit them to engagecorresponding xed springs. The movable contact springs are normallybiased in the direction of their corresponding Stationary contacts sothat, in the case of the break contacts, the

4 movable springs are moved by the card 26 against the biasing force toeiect contact separation and, in the case of the make contacts, themovable springs are released to eifect contact closure.

It will be observed that the lxed card 31 is held against rotarydisplacement because of the confinement of the keys or lugs 32 in theslots 33. lt will be observed also that the upper faces of these lugsabut the sleeve edges which determine the upper limits of the slots 33and thus preclude upward movement or" the card from the position itoccupies in Fig. 1. The card 31 is prevented from being downwardlydisplaced from the illustrated positionv becauseV of the engagement ofthe undersurface of the card with the bridging portions of thestationary springs 28 which interconect the contact portions 30 of thesprings as clearly indicated in Fig. 3.

Reference is now made to Figs. 4 and 5 which illustrate a variation ofthe armature mounting arrangement shown in Figs. l and 2. The armaturemounting spring, exemplarily illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, is a singlepunching comprising a substantially annular central portion 40 and aplurality of integrally formed spaced arms projecting radiallytherefrom. The annular portion 40 of the spring may be welded orotherwise secured to thc body portion of the armature or to the rim edgeof the armature collar 42 as illustrated. Each projecting arm is archedat 43 and otherwise formed so that it occupies a plane at right anglesto the plane of the ring-shaped portion 4i). The outer spring ends, inthe exemplary form illustrated, are secured in slots 23 in the innersleeve member 12. The relay of Figs. 4 and 5 functions in the mannerdescribed in connection with the operation of the relay of Figs. l, 2and 3. The effect of the arched spring is one of increased length whichincreases the sensitivity of the relay without decreasing theeffectiveness of the spring in preventing displacement of the armatureby shock.

While the exemplary forms of armature mountings illustrated, show theouter ends of the radially extending arms secured in slots in the sleevemember 12, it is understood that any suitable method of anchoring themto the sleeve may be resorted to. For example, they may be individuallywelded or otherwise tixed to the sleeve the outer shell 10. Also the xedand rotary cards 31 and 26 may be made of ceramic or otherwisey of inertmaterial.

It is apparent that the relay of this invention is particularly suitablefor use under conditions requiring moistureor gas-proof equipment;provides a circuit controller which is substantially immune to falseoperation resulting from shock; is simple and compact in design thusrendering it particularly desirable for use iu circumstances where sizeand weight are basic considerations; and is one in which the generalcomponent layout lends itself to simplitied maintenance methods,inspection and adjustment. All these desirable characteristics,including large contact capacity, are obtained, furthermore, without areduction in the overall sensitivity of the relay. Furthermore, wear isreduced to a minimum since the only points at which wear isrpossible arebetween the rotary card and the movable contact springs. The rotaryarmature is pivoted Without the conventional bearing and withoutintroducing slide or wipe thereby eliminating variable friction andsticking.

What is claimed is:

1. An electromagnetic relay comprising a core, a magnetic circuitincluding xed elements having pole-pieces,

aaneen means comprising a coil carried by said core for establishing adifference of magnetic potential between said core and said pole-pieces,a rotatable armature control lable by the established magneticpotential, and means physically independent of said core for mountingsaid armature for rotation about its center axis in spaced relation tosaid core and to said pole-pieces comprising a plurality of springmembers interconnecting said armature and said pole pieces and radiallydisposed with respect to the axis of rotation of said core. y

2. An electromagnetic relay according to claim l in which said springmembers constitute flexible couplings between said armature and thefixed elements of said magnetic circuit.

3. An electromagnetic relay according to claim l in which one end ofeach of said spring members is secured to a different point on saidarmature and the other end of each of said spring members is secured toa different point on xed elements of said magnetic circuit.

4. An electromagnetic relay according to claim 1 which includes contactsprings, and means carried by said armature for operating said contactsprings.

5. An electromagnetic relay comprising a coil, a cupshaped magneticelement having a base, a core mounted on said base and located withinsaid coil, a magnetic sleeve contiguously associated with saidcup-shaped element and having integrally formed pole-pieces, aring-shaped armature disposed for rotation about one end of said coreand having a centrally located collar portion circurnscribing the saidone end of said core, pole-pieces xed to said armature, and means formaintaining said armature in fixed spaced relation to said magneticsleeve, the collar portion thereof in fixed circumscribed relation tosaid core and the pole-pieces of said sleeve and armature in spacedproximity, comprising spring members iixed solely to and interconnectingsaid armature and said magnetic sleeve.

6. In a relay structure, a mounting for a rotatable ring-shaped armaturehaving a collar disposed at right angles to the main body portionthereof and circumscribing one end of a fixed cylindrical core,comprising a punching of spring material having a center ring-shapedportion xed to said armature in circumscribed relation to said core, anda plurality of integrally formed arms extending radially therefrom in adirection away from said core and anchored at their outer ends to therelay structure.

7. A mounting for a rotatable armature according to 6 claim 6 in whichthe said ring-shaped portion of said spring material occupies a pianeparallel to the plane of said armature and the said integrally formedarms occupy divergent planes at right angles to the plane of said ringof spring material.

8. In a relay, the combination of a cup-shaped housing of magneticmaterial having a closed end and an opening, a base of insulativematerial enclosing said opening, contact springs embedded in said baseand extending in parallel array into said housing, means including aninsulating card rigidly supported within said housing and ixedlyterminating the inner ends of certain of said springs in spaced relationto each other, a second insulating card in juxtaposed position relativeto said first card and having apertures therein to permit the inner endsof certain other of said springs to protrude therethrough in closeproximity to the inner ends of said iirst springs and to the inner edgesof the apertures in said second card whereby said second card, whenrotated, functions to move the inner ends of said second springsrelative to the inner ends of said rst springs to control electriccircuits, a cylindrical magnet core fixed to the closed end of saidcup-shaped housing and projecting into said housing with itslongitudinal axis coincident with the longitudinal axis of saidcup-shaped member, pole-pieces magnetically associated with the sides ofsaid housing, means comprising a coil circumscribing a portion of saidcore for developing a difference of magnetic potential between said coreand said pole-pieces, an armature iixed to said second insulating card,and means mounting said armature for rotation about an axis coincidentwith the longitudinal axis of said core comprising a plurality of leafsprings each physically independent of said core having one end thereoffixed with respect to said housing and the other end of each thereoffixed to said armature.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,920,135 Allen July 25, 1933 2,372,594 Martin Mar. 27, 1945 2,422,861Skrobisch June 24, 1947 2,445,401 Langer July 20, 1948 2,499,632 CoakeMar. 7, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 258,697 Switzerland May 16, 1949 346,306Germany Dec. 29, 1921

